Forerunner 35by Garmin

Clearly above average. Only a couple of issues keep this from being best in class.

83%

TECHWALLA SCORE

based on the following sites

90%

90%

80%

70%

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PROS

The Forerunner 35 is the cheapest Garmin watch to include an optical heart rate sensor.

It includes GPS for tracking runs or bike rides,

Its battery life is impressive, lasting nine days when used as a watch and fitness tracker, and 13 hours when using GPS.

CONS

At almost $200, the Forerunner is more expensive than most budget fitness watches.

The screen is low-resolution, and the overall design is boxy and bland.

The device is waterproof, but it lacks a swim tracking mode.

Garmin’s Forerunner 35 is billed as an entry-level fitness watch, but it packs in plenty of features found on higher-end devices. Key on that feature list is Garmin Elevate, an optical heart rate sensor built into the watch. It also includes GPS to track distance, pace and speed while running and biking, and it is waterproof so it can be worn while swimming. The Forerunner 35 also has the fitness tracking basics covered, counting steps, distance, calories burned, and sleep, and it connects to an Android or iPhone to deliver smartphone notifications on your wrist.

For serious runners and cyclists the Forerunner 35 is the most capable, compact GPS watch we’ve reviewed and anyone looking for an affordabl…

For serious runners and cyclists the Forerunner 35 is the most capable, compact GPS watch we’ve reviewed and anyone looking for an affordable way to get their rides and runs into Strava should be more than pleased with it. Sadly, the swimmers are out of luck.

What Garmin have done with the Forerunner 35 is create the ultimate GPS watch for the running masses. It has everything it should have, noth…

What Garmin have done with the Forerunner 35 is create the ultimate GPS watch for the running masses. It has everything it should have, nothing has been missed out with regard to functionality and features.

If you're looking for built-in GPS and heart rate monitoring, however, it's one of the best values you'll find. It allows you to track bike …

If you're looking for built-in GPS and heart rate monitoring, however, it's one of the best values you'll find. It allows you to track bike rides, walks, and runs, and view your resting and continuous heart rate, as well as your heart rate zones.

So the FR35 is an interesting duck when it comes to price. On one hand it’s a significant jump in price from the usual $129-$139 range, whi…

So the FR35 is an interesting duck when it comes to price. On one hand it’s a significant jump in price from the usual $129-$139 range, which is odd to me. Overpriced even. But on the other hand, it’s including optical HR.